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Pycnogenol is a popular supplement in the UK for anti-aging and improving overall health. Pycnogenol is a proprietary extract from the bark of French maritime pine trees (Pinus maritima).
It is available for sale in the UK without a prescription and can be purchased online or from speciality health supplement stores. If you cannot find Pycnogenol for sale in the UK, you can also purchase Pine Bark Extract which is a generic form of this product.
Research shows various medicinal properties and biological actions of Pycnogenol that may improve human health. It shows promise for boosting cardiovascular health, acting as an anti-oxidant, improving lipid profiles, enhancing sexual function and boosting the immune system.
This supplement is also considered to be safe for most people to take. With doses between 50mg daily and 450mg daily, for periods up to twelve months, no serious side effects have been noted. Only mild stomach upset and/or nausea have been observed, along with possible increases in urination frequency.
Heart Health
Longevity
Skin Health- Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
- Supports healthy blood sugar & heart
- Aids in collagen integrity for skin health
Pycnogenol Use in the UK
Related Topics
One of the growing reasons for taking Pycnogenol supplement in the UK is its anti-obesity effects. Obesity is implicated as a causal variable in many detrimental health conditions.
Obesity is marked by and associated with excessive fat storage, leptin resistance, insulin resistance, insulin toxicity, diabetes mellitus type 2, heart disease, and cancer.
Pycnogenol seems to improve glucose absorption and help to regulate energy production/usage. It also decreases fat accumulation, especially during periods of stress.
There has been some promising research into the anti-obesogenic properties of both Pycnogenol and Pine Bark Extract. In mature 3T3-L1 fat storage cells (adipocytes), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) elevation was suppressed during adipogenesis via 100mcg/mL doses of pycnogenol.
Also, mRNA expression of fatty acid binding proteins like aP2 and CEBP-alpha was effectively suppressed. The lipolytic actions of pine bark extracts are believed to be beneficial for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2, coronary artery disease, heart disease, fatty liver disease, asthma, obesity and various other conditions.
By possibly reducing the likelihood of developing obesity, pine bark extract supplementation may also reduce the risks of developing numerous other adverse health conditions which are prevalent in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland and Europe.
Top Pycnogenol Supplements
Pycnogenol for Improved Cardiovascular Health
In one double-blind human trial with coronary artery disease subjects, 200mg of pycnogenol was administered each day to the treatment group. After 4 weeks, the subjects experienced a 32% increase in blood delivery (circulation). This is thought to be due largely to the vasodilatory actions of the oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) contained in this supplement.
Pycnogenol is comprised of approximately 70% proanthocyanidins and is known to be an effective vasorelaxant agent. It helps to dilate blood vessels so that they can carry more blood throughout the body, without increasing blood pressure.
Residents of the UK are said to have one of the highest cholesterol levels in the world due to dietary factors. This is one area where pycnogenol usage may be particularly beneficial. Other cardioprotective effects of pycnogenol include lowering LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels.
In one study, after 4 weeks of daily 150mg doses of pycnogenol, treatment group low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were reduced by 7%. Also, in the same trial, a 10.4% increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was observed.
In a separate double-blind human trial, 360mg doses of pycnogenol were administered daily for 4 weeks. Treatment group subjects experienced a 13% decrease in LDL cholesterol levels and a 19.7% decrease in total cholesterol.
Placebo group participants demonstrated no relevant changes over the same 4 weeks. Finally, treatment group subjects experienced returns to baseline cholesterol rates within three weeks of stopping pycnogenol supplementation.
Pycnoegnol also increases the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) in the body. NO is a known vasodilator, which may be the cause of the majority of Pycnoegnol’s cardioprotective and lipid profile enhancing actions.
Vasodilation relaxes the linings of the cardiovascular system’s components (heart, lungs and blood vessels). This allows for more blood to be delivered with less work; leading to various improvements in overall cardiovascular health.
Pycnogenol for ADHD Treatment in the UK
One interesting area of research for Pycnogenol use is in the treatment or ADHD. According to the NHS, ADHD is the most common behavioural disorder in the UK, affecting both children and adults.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders that affect attention span and learning abilities, are increasing in prevalence.
Between 2-5% of school-aged children are believed to have this condition and current therapies are considered to be unideal by many doctors and patients.
Pycnogenol supplements have been recommended as a natural way to support ADHD therapies and improve cognitive function. In one clinical study of sixty-one adolescents with ADHD, 200mg of pycnogenol was administered each day to treatment group subjects.
Treatment lasted for 4 weeks. Hyperactivity incidences were markedly decreased as attention spans were expanded. Also, rates of failing tests seemed to be strongly decreased. After 3 weeks of discontinuing supplementation, baseline levels of attention span and hyperactivity returned.
- Aids in collagen integrity for healthy looking skin
- Controls blood sugar levels with anti-diabetic effects
- Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
More Uses of Pycnogenol
Pine bark extract demonstrates a diverse array of potentially therapeutic actions. The following are some of the effects of pycnogenol that are currently being explored in further research studies:
- Alleviating the symptoms of menopause;
- Strengthening sex drive and enhancing sexual vigor;
- Treating the symptoms of ED (erectile dysfunction);
- Improving the functioning of the liver, especially in patients with cirrhosis;
- Protecting the kidneys and empowering their functioning;
- Decreasing the destructive results of free radical attacks;
- Preventing premature aging symptoms;
- Improving joint health and combating osteoporosis;
- Stimulating immune system cellular activity and generally decreasing inflammation
Where to Buy Pycnogenol in the UK
Pycnogenol is a proprietary ingredient form of generic Pine Bark Extract. You will see this ingredient included in several general anti-aging supplements and sold as a single ingredient product by some vendors.
Pycnogenol is available in the UK without a prescription, but you should still speak to your doctor to before using this supplement.
There are some concerns for negative interactions between pine bark extracts and certain pharmaceutical drugs. Prescription medications for hypertension, diabetes and immune system complications should not be used in conjunction with pycnogenol without a doctor’s clear permission.
There are also some groups of people not recommended for pine bark extract supplementation including pregnant women and upcoming surgery patients. You can buy Pycnogenol in the UK at a number of specialty health and nutrition stores or from online supplement vendors.
- Lin, Miyako Mochizuki, and Noboru Hasegawa. “Pycnogenol Ameliorates Depression-Like Behavior in Repeated Corticosterone-Induced Depression Mice Model.” BioMed Research International 2014 (2014): 942927. PMC. Web. 24 June 2015.
- D’Andrea G Pycnogenol: a blend of procyanidins with multifaceted therapeutic applications? Fitoterapia. 2010 Oct;81(7):724-36. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2010.06.011. Epub 2010 Jun 20.
- Harati K, Slodnik P, Chromik AM, Behr B1, Goertz O, Hirsch T, Kapalschinski N, Klein-Hitpass L,Kolbenschlag J, Uhl W, Lehnhardt M, Daigeler A. Pro?apoptotic effects of pycnogenol on HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells. Int J Oncol. 2015 Apr;46(4):1629-36. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2015.2854. Epub 2015 Jan 27.
- Belcaro G, Luzzi R, Cesinaro Di Rocco P, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, Feragalli B, Errichi BM, Ippolito E,Grossi MG, Hosoi M, Errichi S, Cornelli U, Ledda A, Gizzi G. Pycnogenol® improvements in asthma management. Panminerva Med. 2011 Sep;53(3 Suppl 1):57-64.
- Kurlbaum, Max, Melanie Mülek, and Petra Högger. “Facilitated Uptake of a Bioactive Metabolite of Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) into Human Erythrocytes.” Ed. Baohong Zhang. PLoS ONE 8.4 (2013): e63197. PMC. Web. 24 June 2015.
- Belcaro G, Luzzi R, Hu S, Cesarone MR, Dugall M, Ippolito E, Corsi M, Caporale S. Improvement in signs and symptoms in psoriasis patients with Pycnogenol® supplementation. Panminerva Med. 2014 Mar;56(1):41-8.
- Khan, Mohammad Moshahid et al. “Protection of MPTP-Induced Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration by Pycnogenol.” Neurochemistry international 62.4 (2013): 379–388. PMC. Web. 24 June 2015.
- Errichi S, Bottari A, Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Hosoi M, Cornelli U, Dugall M, Ledda A, Feragalli B. Supplementation with Pycnogenol® improves signs and symptoms of menopausal transition. Panminerva Med. 2011 Sep;53(3 Suppl 1):65-70.
